Press Release

Technology and Emerging Countries Seminar Co-Sponsored by Digital Freedom Initiative at 2008 International Consumer Electronic Show

A seminar entitled "Technology and Emerging Countries: Advancing Development Through Technology Investment" will be held on January 9, 2008, at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

AIT's Commercial Section has organized a delegation of more than 70 Taiwan buyers to visit CES, the largest annual consumer technology show in the world.

The seminar on technology and emerging countries, co-sponsored by the Digital Freedom Initiative, highlights the transformational role telecommunications technology can play in overcoming development challenges. Private companies, governments and non-governmental organizations will explore how technology can be used to improve daily life. This panel will touch on healthcare, education, and environment. The Digital Freedom Initiative (DFI), launched in 2003 at the White House, has grown to encompass programs in many countries using information and communication technologies to help spur economic growth and policy reform. The DFI approach leverages the leadership of the U.S. government with the creativity and resources of American business, and the vision and energy of local partners throughout the developing world.

Nicholas Negroponte, author of the 1995 best seller Being Digital and founder of MIT Media Lab and the One Laptop Per Child Project, will deliver the program's closing keynote address.

"Nicholas Negroponte is the perfect person to deliver this address and help us launch this important new emerging markets and technology program at the International CES," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association. "Nicholas' One Laptop Per Child project is a terrific example of how technology can help educate and empower children in the developing world."

Taiwan's Quanta Computer, Inc., has played a role in the One Laptop Per Child project as the developer and producer of the low-priced laptops for this non-profit endeavor.

Other confirmed participants for the "Technology and Emerging Countries" program include Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; Paul Jacobs, CEO of Qualcomm; Paul Meyer, CEO of Voxiva; Dan Shine, Program Director of AMD's 50X15 Initiative and Tae Yoo, Senior Vice President of Cisco Systems Inc.